Gives the department the authority to allow youth reaching age eighteen to return to foster care within six months of leaving foster care for the purposes provided in RCW 74.13.031(10)(b)(i). If a youth, under age nineteen, leaves foster care before receiving his or her high school diploma, he or she may return to foster care within six months of leaving for the purpose of receiving his or her high school diploma or GED. A youth eligible to return to foster care under this provision must sign a voluntary placement agreement with the department before returning to foster care.

Requires the Washington state institute for public policy to: (1) Conduct a national review of state programs for youth transitioning out of foster care covering state policies on eligibility requirements for continued foster care, age thresholds for transitioning services, types of services provided, and use of state funds to supplement federal moneys for transitioning youth; and

(2) Survey foster youth and foster parents in Washington to provide information on how well current services are meeting the needs of youth transitioning out of foster care.